Budget Committee of the Whole

Resolved that the March 21, 2023 Budget Committee of the Whole agenda be approved.

Resolved that report FIN-23-12, 2023 Consolidated Budget Report, dated March 21, 2023 be received; and 1. That the 2023 levy budget, outlined in Appendix A with operating expenditures of $28,634,930 and a net levy of $16,062,870 (increase of $487,890 or 2.13% over the 2022 net levy) be approved; which includes: a) Niagara regional transit upload to region of $(250,000) or (1.61%); b) Assessment growth of (1%); and 2. That the 2023 levy include increased legal fees of $250,000 or 1.6% over the 2022 levy in support of responsible development be approved; and 3. That an increase of $431,853 or 2.8% over the 2022 levy be approved to support staffing requirements (6 permanent full-time staff) and program- related costs as outlined in the report; and 4. That the business case for a Funding Request Pilot in the amount of $100,000 be approved and funded from the Council Strategic Reserve (Appendix E); and 5. That the 2023 wastewater gross operating budget, outlined in Appendix A, in the amount of $6,781,820 and a levy of $4,371,220 and the wastewater rates outlined in Appendix B be approved; and 6. That the 2023 water gross operating budget, outlined in Appendix A, in the amount of $7,906,100 and the water rates outlined in Appendix B be approved; and 7. That the 2023 Downtown Improvement Area gross operating budget, outlined in Appendix A in the amount of $87,350 and a levy of $87,350 be approved; and 8. That the incremental 2023 capital budget ask, outlined in Appendix C, in the am